Two Theft Suspects Arrested

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Incident #1: Proactive Police work leads to arrest of theft suspect –

On September 7, 2017, just before midnight, a YCSO deputy noticed suspicious activity involving a man at the Shell Service Station on Highway 89 in Congress. The man had been loitering and appeared unusually concerned about the presence of a Sheriff’s vehicle in the area. The man eventually left the station in a 2007 tan colored Ford sedan and was stopped for no record of insurance. The driver, identified as 33-year-old Brandon McCubbin from Yarnell, was sweating, extremely nervous and holding a cell phone in his hand at the time. His mother and another family member were passengers in the car. McCubbin admitted his license was suspended and as he exited the vehicle, he attempted to conceal the cell phone he was holding.

While conducting an investigation at the traffic stop, YCSO dispatch alerted the deputy to a theft incident that had just occurred at the Congress Shell Station. The victim reported the theft of his cell phone involving the driver of the tan Ford sedan, Brandon McCubbin. The deputy spoke with the victim who indicated he was sitting on the tailgate of a truck at the Shell station when McCubbin approached and asked for a cigarette. While retrieving the cigarette, McCubbin apparently stole a red colored cell phone that was sitting on the tailgate. The deputy confirmed that the cell phone McCubbin attempted to hide was the victim’s stolen phone which was eventually returned to its owner.

Before towing the suspect vehicle, the deputy conducted an inventory of its contents and discovered a backpack containing what would be later determined as burglary tools and drug paraphernalia. Items included gloves, screwdrivers, a bolt cutter, metal wire cutting pliers, wrenches, a black bandanna, plastic bags with brown tar residue (heroin), tourniquets, spoon, cotton balls, and syringes with apparent heroin residue.

The victim told deputies that when McCubbin originally asked for a cigarette, he admitted just getting out of rehab after previously using narcotics and having to ‘break into houses and steal things’ to pay for the habit. He was currently relocating to Yarnell.

McCubbin was booked into the Camp Verde Detention Center on charges including Theft, Control of Stolen Property, Possession of a Narcotic Drug, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Burglary Tools, and Driving on a Suspended License. He remains in-custody on $25,000 bond.

Investigation continues…

Incident #2: Family friend allowed to care for home, steals property. YCSO deputy and detective work together to investigate and arrest suspect -

In October of 2016, the victim and homeowner left her residence in the 500 block of Camino De Encanto, Cornville, and relocated out of the country for a period of time. She permitted a family acquaintance, 34-year-old Jeremey Smith from Sedona, to stay in the home while she was away. In January of 2017 while the victim was still away, she learned of problems Smith was causing in the neighborhood and he was told to leave. On January 10, 2017, deputies were called to the home regarding a trespassing complaint. Deputies found Smith at the home, trespassing, and the investigation led to his arrest for drug possession and court ordered violations.

In May of 2017, the victim returned to her home and found it in shambles and discovered several valuable coins, jewelry and a watch had been stolen. The total value of these items exceeded $15,000 and a theft report was filed.

A YCSO detective was assigned to assist with the investigation and began checking pawned property records for Smith. After an extensive search, the detective located 3 pawn records identifying Smith which took place at locations in Phoenix and one in Cottonwood. The detective verified as least two of the transactions involved property stolen from the victim’s home during the time she was away.

In June of 2017, the detective went to the Maricopa County Jail to speak with Smith where he was in-custody on unrelated charges. Smith declined to discuss the case.

On September 7, 2017, Smith was extradited to the Camp Verde Detention Center on an unrelated warrant. Smith was offered a chance to discuss his role in these thefts, but again declined. Smith was booked on charges including Theft, Deface/Damage Property and Trafficking in Stolen Property. He remains in-custody on a $25,000 bond.

Investigation remains active.

Citizens can contact the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office with information or questions at 928-771-3260 or the YCSO website: www.ycsoaz.gov